Trigger safety assembly

ABSTRACT

A safety assembly for a firearm and method for using the same. A safety assembly includes at least one control extending to the exterior of the firearm; a bias element operatively associated with the control, the bias element biasing the control in a first position; and an unlocking mechanism, the unlocking mechanism being connected to the control and interlinked with a trigger to unlock the trigger when the control is in a second position. A method for using a safety assembly includes placing at least one hand on a forestock of a firearm; placing at least one digit on the trigger; using the hand to depress a button extending to the forestock to unlock the trigger, the button being operatively associated with the trigger and being connected to at least one bias element that biases the button in a locked position; and while the button is depressed, squeezing the trigger.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/939,016, filed Sep. 9, 2004, which is incorporated herein byreference for all that it discloses.

GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

The United States Government has certain rights in this inventionpursuant to Contract No. DE-AC07-99ID13727, and Contract No.DE-AC07-05ID14517 between the United States Department of Energy andBattelle Energy Alliance, LLC.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of firearms and morespecifically to safety mechanisms associated with firearm triggers.

BACKGROUND

Conventional firearms are equipped with safety detents to prevent thefirearm from being fired accidentally. The safety detent is generally alever that must be moved from the “safe” position to the “fire” positionbefore the trigger can be depressed to fire the weapon. However, safetydetents may not provide the best safety protection in the case of eitherweapons that require use of both hands, or combination weapons, such asa secondary weapon mounted under a primary weapon.

In the case of a secondary weapon (e.g., a shotgun) mounted underneath aprimary weapon (e.g., a rifle), the resulting conventional combinationfirearm has two barrels of different lengths. The barrel of thesecondary weapon extends further forward than the barrel of the primaryweapon mounted on top. When using the combination weapon as a batteringram (i.e., to break down a door in law enforcement), the user runs therisk of inadvertently placing his hand over the barrel of the secondaryweapon. With a conventional safety detent left in the “fire” position,this can pose a risk of injury due to inadvertent firing.

In addition, in a conventional combination firearm, both hands aregenerally used to fire and support the weapon. The normal trigger fingeris positioned on the trigger of the primary weapon (e.g., rifle) towardthe rear of the combination firearm. The other hand is used in a forwardposition to support the combination firearm. However, in a conventionalcombination firearm, the safety mechanisms and the triggers for bothweapons are located near the rear of the stationary receiver which isgenerally connected to the rifle stock. With the safety mechanism andthe trigger for the secondary weapon in this location, the user wouldlikely have to move his forward support hand to the rear of thecombination weapon in order to disengage the safety and fire the weapon.Moving the support hand can compromise stability of the weapon, delayfiring and create potential hazards when the hands are moved orrepositioned on the combination weapon.

As a result of these inefficiencies and safety risks, there developed aneed for a firearm trigger safety assembly that would permit the safetymechanism for the secondary weapon to be disengaged and the weapon to befired without requiring the user to move either one of his hands.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one embodiment of the invention, a safety assembly for a firearmcomprises at least one control member extending to the exterior of thefirearm; a bias element operatively associated with the control member,the bias element biasing the control member in a first position; and anunlocking mechanism, the unlocking mechanism being connected to thecontrol and interlinked with a trigger to unlock the trigger when thecontrol member is in a second position.

In other embodiments, the control member may comprise a button and thebias element may comprise a spring.

In still other embodiments, the unlocking mechanism may comprise anaperture in a trigger rod, the trigger rod being connected to thetrigger. This embodiment may further comprise a cross-bar disposedbetween the control member and the unlocking mechanism, the cross-barbeing shaped to allow the cross-bar to pass through the aperture formovement of the trigger rod when the control member is in the secondposition.

In another embodiment, the aperture may comprise a slot and thecross-bar may comprise at least one notch, the notch being disposed toslide into the slot when the control member is in the second position,thereby allowing the trigger rod to move.

In yet another embodiment, the bias element may comprise a spring ring.This embodiment may also comprise a first groove in the forestock, thefirst groove being disposed to receive the spring ring and hold it inthe first locked position, and a second groove in the forestock, thesecond groove being disposed to receive the spring ring and hold it inthe second unlocked position.

In an embodiment for a combination weapon, the safety assembly of thepresent invention may comprise a detent extending to the exterior of areceiver of a primary weapon, the detent being operatively associatedwith a trigger on the primary weapon to lock and unlock the trigger onthe primary weapon; a control member extending to the exterior of aforestock of a secondary weapon, the secondary weapon being mountedunderneath the primary weapon, the control member being moveable betweena first position and a second position; a bias element operativelyassociated with the control member, the bias element biasing the controlmember in a first position; an unlocking mechanism connected to thecontrol member, the unlocking mechanism being interlinked with a triggeron the secondary weapon to unlock the trigger on the secondary weaponwhen the control member is in a second position; and a locking mechanismconnected to the control member, the locking mechanism being interlinkedwith the trigger of the secondary weapon to lock the trigger of thesecondary weapon when the control member is at rest in the firstposition and to relock the trigger of the secondary weapon when thecontrol is reset to the first position from the second position.

An embodiment of a method for locking and unlocking a trigger on acombination weapon according to the present invention comprises placinga support hand on the forestock of a secondary weapon, the secondaryweapon being mounted underneath a primary weapon; moving a safety detenton the primary weapon to an unlocked position; placing a firing hand ona trigger of the primary weapon; using the support hand to operate acontrol member on the forestock of the secondary weapon to unlock atrigger of the secondary weapon, the control member being operativelyassociated with the trigger of the secondary weapon; and using thesupport hand to operate the trigger of the secondary weapon while thecontrol member keeps the trigger unlocked.

In another embodiment of the method, the control may comprise a buttonthat the user depresses to unlock the trigger. The method may furthercomprise releasing the button and releasing the trigger, causing thebutton to relock the trigger of the secondary weapon.

In yet another embodiment of according to the present invention, amethod for locking and unlocking a trigger on a combination weapon maycomprise placing a support hand on a forestock of a secondary weapon,the secondary weapon being mounted underneath a primary weapon; moving asafety detent on the primary weapon to an unlocked position; placing afiring hand on a trigger of the primary weapon; using the support handto depress a button on the forestock of the secondary weapon to unlock atrigger of the secondary weapon, the button being connected to at leastone bias element and operatively associated with the trigger of thesecondary weapon so that the button is retained in a depressed position;and using the support hand to operate the trigger of the secondaryweapon.

Another embodiment of a method may further comprise operating thetrigger of the primary weapon after the safety detent has been moved tothe unlocked position.

Another embodiment of a method for locking and unlocking a trigger of afirearm may comprise placing at least one hand on a forestock of afirearm; placing at least one digit on the trigger; using the hand todepress a button extending to the forestock to unlock the trigger, thebutton being operatively associated with the trigger and being connectedto at least one bias element that biases the button in at least a lockedposition; and while the button is depressed, squeezing the trigger.

Still another embodiment of a method herein may further comprisereleasing the trigger, thereby causing the button to be reset in thelocked position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Illustrative and presently preferred exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention are illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a safety assembly for a movingbarrel firearm in a closed position;

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a safety assembly for a movingbarrel firearm in an open position;

FIG. 3 provides an exploded view of an embodiment of a firearm,including a safety assembly, such as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is view from the underside and front of an embodiment of a movingbarrel firearm, including a safety assembly and trigger mechanism;

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a safety assembly and triggermechanism of a firearm as engaged by a user's support hand;

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a safety assembly and triggermechanism of a firearm as engaged by a user's support hand;

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a combination weapon, including asafety assembly and trigger mechanism

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a stand-alone long gun, including asafety assembly and trigger mechanism;

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a combination weapon, includingsafety assemblies and triggers for the primary and secondary weapons,and an embodiment for using the same;

FIG. 10 shows a view from the underside and front of a user's supporthand operating an embodiment of a firearm trigger and a safety assemblysimultaneously;

FIG. 11 shows a user's hand in relation to an embodiment of a safetyassembly, action release and trigger mechanism of a firearm;

FIG. 12 illustrates an enlarged exploded view of an embodiment of asafety assembly and trigger mechanism as illustrated, for example, inFIGS. 5-6, 9-11 and 13;

FIG. 13 provides a cross-section view of an embodiment of a triggerassembly, including a trigger rod equipped with a key-hole shapedaperture;

FIG. 14, which includes sub-part FIGS. 14A-14E, provides a set ofelevational views, the latter four of which are partly in cross-section,of portions of a trigger mechanism and a safety assembly, as could betaken along lines 14B/D-13B/D of FIG. 13, and respective lines B-B; C-C,D-D and E-E of corresponding sub-parts 14C, 14B, 14E and 14D; and

FIG. 15, which includes sub-part FIGS. 15A and 15B, provides a set ofpartially cut-away views of an embodiment of a safety assembly inrespective locked and unlocked positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a novel safety assembly 42 for afirearm 10 used as a single weapon and for a combination weapon 200comprising a secondary weapon 203 (e.g., a shotgun) integrated with aprimary weapon 201 (e.g., a rifle). The embodiments of firearm 10, longgun 202 and combination weapon 200 described herein may require the useof both hands for operation. Broadly described, the embodiments of thesafety assembly 42 described herein comprise a control 43 extending tothe exterior of forearm or forestock 17, a bias element 46 that biasesthe control 43 in a “safe” or locked position and, an unlockingmechanism that is connected to the control 43 and interlinked with atrigger mechanism 32 of the firearm 10 to unlock the trigger mechanism32 when control 43 is moved to a “fire” or unlocked position. As usedherein, control 43 may comprise any type of control capable of beinglinked to unlocking mechanism, including but not limited to a button, alever, a detent, a toggle, or a knob. The bias element 46 may compriseany type of bias element capable of biasing the control 43 in at leastone position, including but not limited to a spring, a coil, a springring, or any other elastic device that will regain its original positionafter removal of stress, compression or the like. As used herein, theterm “forward” means in a position toward barrel 16 or muzzle 16 e ofthe firearm 10, combination weapon 200 or long gun 202. “Rear” as usedherein means in a position toward receiver 18 or magazine 20 of thefirearm 10, or toward receiver 18 or buttstock 25 of combination weapon200 or long gun 202.

With reference to the Figures, FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of thefirearm 10, with pump action 21 in a closed position. Action release 54is for unlocking the pump action 21. Once unlocked, the pump action 21may be operated by moving the forestock 17, mounted below barrel 16 andforward of receiver 18 which is mounted above magazine 20. FIG. 2 showsthe firearm 10 with the pump action 21 in an open position. Control 43is shown extending through the forestock 17.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the firearm 10. Trigger mechanism 32may comprise trigger button 34 and trigger actuating rod 36. Inaddition, trigger mechanism 32 may comprise trigger guide member 37,spring follower 38, and trigger spring 39. Trigger actuating rod 36 isconnected on the forward end to trigger button 34. Near its rear end,trigger actuating rod 36 is connected to sear 62. The trigger actuatingrod 36 may comprise one or more pieces. The connection to sear 62 mayactually be part of trigger actuating rod 36, or may be connected to it.Actuating rod or cross-bar 44 may be orthogonally disposed to triggeractuating rod 36. Cross-bar 44 may be connected to at least one control43 which extends through the forestock 17. The trigger mechanism 32 mayfit within trigger tube 33 in a manner similar to a piston.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, trigger tube 33 and forestock 17 are equippedwith recess 41, located substantially on their underside. Recess 41 isdisposed to accommodate trigger button 34 as well as the user'sfinger(s). As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the user is ready to firefirearm 10, the user places a finger in recess 41 on trigger button 34.When trigger button 34 is depressed, trigger mechanism 32 is pulled backfrom the at-rest position to activate sear assembly 60 (which includessear 62), actuating hammer 71, striking lever 78 and other parts of thefiring assembly which causes firearm 10 to fire (when loaded). By virtueof locating trigger button 34 on the underside of firearm 10, the usermay depress trigger button 34 to operate trigger mechanism 32 usingeither hand. That is, the user may use any finger of the firing hand orany finger of the support hand to depress trigger button 34, as shown inFIG. 5. When the support hand is used to depress the trigger button 34,it may do so while remaining in a support position on the forestock 17,as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

One embodiment of the present invention for safety assembly 42 forfirearm 10 is shown in FIGS. 3-5. Safety assembly 42 may be placed in aforward position on forestock 17 near recess 41 in the vicinity wherethe user would customarily place the support hand. With safety assembly42 in this position, control 43 is exposed on the exterior of eitherside, or preferably, both sides of forestock 17 for ambidextrousoperation. Preferably, control 43 may be disposed above and slightlybehind the face of trigger button 34 as shown. As shown, trigger button34 (and trigger mechanism 32) are placed in a more forward position thanthey would be on a conventional weapon. Such a location is preferablebecause it allows the user to operate control 43 and depress triggerbutton 34 with the support hand without moving the support hand from thesupport position as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The safety assembly 42 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 may be operatedaccording to an embodiment of a method of the invention. The user wouldplace a support hand on the forestock 17 of firearm 10 and place a digiton trigger button 34. The user would use another digit to operatecontrol 43 (that extends to the exterior of forestock 17) by in thiscase depressing the control 43 (e.g., button). While control 43 wasdepressed, the user would then squeeze trigger button 34 to fire firearm10 (assuming that firearm 10 was loaded). Thereafter, the user couldkeep firing if he continued to seamlessly squeeze trigger button 34 orif he continued to depress control 43 as he squeezed trigger button 34.The user would reset control 43 to relock trigger mechanism 32 byreleasing the trigger button 34 (without continuing to depress control43).

An exemplary embodiment showing the location of safety assembly 42 oncombination weapon 200 is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9. In thisembodiment for combination weapon 200, safety assembly 42 may be placedin a forward position on forestock 17 near recess 41 in the vicinitywhere the user would place the support hand on secondary weapon 203.With safety assembly 42 in this position, control 43 is exposed on theexterior of either side, or preferably, both sides of forestock 17 forambidextrous operation. Preferably, control 43 may be disposed above andslightly behind the face of trigger button 34 as shown. With respect tosecondary weapon 203 (with pump action 21), action release 54 may belocated in the same general area as control 43. As shown, trigger button34 (and trigger mechanism 32) are placed forward of breech 16a onsecondary weapon 203, instead of to the rear of the breach 16a as wouldbe the case for conventional long guns, such as shotguns and rifles. Atrigger 206 for primary weapon 201 may be locked and unlocked using aconventional safety detent 204 as shown on FIG. 7. FIG. 8 shows thelocation of safety assembly 42 (and control 43), action release 54,trigger button 34 and recess 41 for an embodiment in an embodiment wherelong gun 202, (e.g., pump action 21 shotgun) is used as a stand-aloneweapon. A method for operating the safety assembly 42 of long gun 202may be about the same as that set forth above with respect to firearm10.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate how the user may operate control 43 andtrigger button 34 at the same time using one hand, preferably thesupport hand. FIG. 9 shows preferable locations for the user's handswhen using combination weapon 200. The user's firing hand is placed ontrigger 206 of the primary weapon. The user's support hand may be placedin the vicinity of trigger button 34, as well as control 43. For firearm10, long gun 202 and secondary weapon 203 (of combination weapon 200),FIG. 10 illustrates how the thumb of the user's support hand can be usedto operate control 43, while depressing trigger button 34 located inrecess 41.

An embodiment for operating combination weapon 200 (as illustrated inFIGS. 7, 9, and 10) may comprise having the user place a support hand onthe forestock 17 of secondary weapon 203. With the other(non-supporting) hand, the user would move detent 204 on primary weapon201 to an unlocked position and place the non-supporting hand on thetrigger 206 (without squeezing it) of primary weapon 201. The user maydepress control 43 on the forestock 17 of secondary weapon 203 to unlocktrigger mechanism 32 of secondary weapon 203. While continuing todepress control 43, the user may then depress trigger button 34 to firethe secondary weapon. By releasing control 43 and/or trigger button 34,the user may reset safety assembly 42 to the locked position. At anytime after moving detent 204 to the unlocked position and positioningthe hands, the user may also squeeze trigger 206 to fire the primaryweapon.

Thus, the embodiments of safety assembly 42 according to the presentinvention allow the user to fire any of long gun 202, firearm 10, orsecondary weapon 203 or primary weapon 201 of combination weapon 200without having to reposition either of his hands to do so. In the caseof combination weapon 200, the user may use both hands to simultaneouslyfire primary weapon 201 and secondary weapon 203 without having toreposition either hand.

FIG. 11 shows a preferred location of control 43, trigger button 34 andaction release 54 on firearm 10, long gun 202 and secondary weapon 203.FIG. 11 illustrates the manner in which the user may operate actionrelease 54, control 43 and trigger button 34 with one hand withouthaving to reposition that hand.

FIG. 12 generally shows an exploded view of safety assembly 42comprising cross-bar 44, bias element 46 (e.g., a spring), control 43(e.g., a button) and the manner in which these elements are connected.Preferably, as illustrated, cross-bar 44 will be operatively associatedwith bias element 46 and control 43 at both of the cross-bar 44 ends.Cross-bar 44 may comprise one or more pieces. In the embodiment shown,cross-bar 44 comprises two notches 45 b, 45 c and one barrier 45 a alongits length and between controls 43. However, the number of notches 45 b,45 c and barriers 45 a for any given embodiment of the invention maydepend on the configuration of control 43 and cross-bar 44, as well asthe overall design of the unlocking and locking mechanisms. For example,if the embodiment depicted in FIG. 12 had a single control 43, then onenotch 45 b and one barrier 45 a may be sufficient.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12-14A-E, trigger actuating rod 36comprises a slot 47 (for unlocking trigger mechanism 32) and an opening48 (for locking trigger mechanism 32). In the embodiment shown, slot 47and opening 48 are adjacent to one another forming a key-hole shapedaperture in trigger rod 36. In the embodiment shown, slot 47 is disposedin both size and location to accept notch 45 b, 45 c, but not barrier 45a, when either control 43 is depressed. Opening 48 is disposed in bothsize and location to accept barrier 45 a when control 43 is biased bybias element 46 into its resting (e.g., locked) position. Triggeractuating rod 36 may have a flattened portion or surface 46a surroundingopening 48 and slot 47 to provide a support surface for bias element 46to prevent it from fouling. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, biaselement 46 may be a spring.

For the embodiment shown, FIGS. 12-14A-E illustrate the relationshipbetween the elements comprising safety assembly 42. FIGS. 14A, 14B and14D shows how the bias element 46 may be operatively associated withcontrol 43 and cross-bar 44, with reference to notch 45 b, 45 c andbarrier 45 a. FIGS. 14B and 14C show how cross-bar 44 may be disposedwhen control 43 is biased in a resting or locked position. Cross-bar 44passes through the opening 48 of trigger actuating rod 36. While barrier45 a can slide through opening 48, which is of a sufficient size andshape to accept it, barrier 45 a is too large to be accepted by slot 47.Thus, when barrier 45 a is aligned with opening 48, it locks triggeractuating rod 36 and prevents operation of the trigger mechanism 32.

As shown in FIGS. 14D and 14E, operating either control 43 (by pressinga button in the embodiment shown) moves the affected cross-bar 44 notch45 b, 45 c to line up with and slide into slot 47. The effect of thisalignment is to unlock trigger actuating rod 36, allowing it to move.Thus, when trigger button 34 is depressed, the trigger mechanism 32 canbe engaged, causing firearm 10, long gun 202 or secondary weapon 203 tofire.

As shown in FIGS. 12-14A-14E, cross-bar 44 is biased about triggeractuating rod 36 by a plurality of bias elements 46 (e.g., springs)generally between barrier 45 a and control 43. The plurality of biaselements 46 bias the cross-bar 44 in the resting (locked) positionwherein the barrier 45 a is aligned with opening 48. In order to unlocktrigger actuating rod 36 and trigger mechanism 32, the user would haveto depress and hold down either one of the controls 43 so that notch 45b, 45 c moves into slot 47, thereby unlocking trigger actuating rod 36so firearm 10, long gun 202 or secondary weapon 203 can be fired.

An advantage of the embodiment of safety assembly 42 as previouslydiscussed is that it allows the user to operate the control 43 withouthaving to move his hand (preferably, the support hand). Thus, by movingany digit, the user can depress and hold control 43 and then presstrigger button 34 at the same time, as illustrated in FIG. 10. Otheradvantages may be that control 43 cannot accidentally be moved from thelocked to the unlocked position and that trigger mechanism 32 cannot befired inadvertently. An example of a situation where this aspect of theinvention may be beneficial is when using combination weapon 200 as abattering ram for law enforcement purposes. In addition, whendischarging combination weapon 200, since the user's hands would beoccupied in the support position on the secondary weapon 203 and thefiring position on the primary weapon 201, the user's hands would notend up near the muzzle 16 e.

Nonetheless, as would be apparent to those of skill in the art afterbecoming familiar with the embodiments of this invention, othermechanisms may be employed to permit the safety assembly 42 to remainunlocked after control 43 was only depressed one time (i.e., depressonce and it stays depressed). Such a mechanism could also be coupledwith a reset mechanism such that control 43 would stay depressed and thetrigger mechanism 32 would remain unlocked until control 43 weresubsequently depressed in the manner of a reset button.

An embodiment of a safety assembly 401 for temporarily locking orunlocking the trigger mechanism 32 is shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B. Safetyassembly 401 can be adapted for use in connection with firearm 10, longgun 202 or secondary weapon 203 of combination weapon 200, or with anyother weapon as would be familiar to one of skill in the art. In thisembodiment, once the user moves control 43 from the first position(locked) to the second position (unlocked), the trigger mechanism 32remains unlocked so that the user does not have to operate the control43 every time he wants to fire the weapon 10, 202, 203. In theembodiment shown, spring ring 402, which serves as a bias element, maybe installed on either or both controls 43. As shown, spring ring 402 isconstructed so that it will compress to fit within a depression 403 inthe control 43 itself, but will also, in the absence of compression,expand to be wider than control 43. Being so constructed, spring ring402 may expand to be received by first groove 404 in forestock 17 tomaintain safety assembly 401 in a locked position such that barrier 45 aprevents trigger actuating rod 36 from moving as shown in FIG. 15A. Whencontrol 43 is depressed, spring ring 402 may be received by secondgroove 405, thereby maintaining safety assembly 401 in an unlockedposition, allowing notch 45 c to slide into slot 47, thereby permittingthe movement of trigger actuating rod 36. Thus, spring ring 402 can holdcross-bar 44 in the unlocked position, for example, without requiringcontinued depression of control 43. Depression 403 may be formed bymachining such a depression into control 43 itself. Spring ring 402 maythen be installed in depression 403. Similarly, grooves 404, 405 may bemachined in the forestock 17. Other mechanisms may also be used as wouldbecome familiar to one of skill in the art after becoming familiar withthe embodiments of the present invention described herein.

A method for using the safety assembly 401 illustrated in FIGS. 15A and15B may comprise having the user place a support hand on forestock 17.The user would then depress control 43 to unlock trigger mechanism 32.The action of spring ring 402 operatively associated with control 43would cause trigger mechanism 32 to remain in the unlocked position. Theuser could then squeeze trigger button 34 repeatedly or evenintermittently without having to press control 43 again. To reset thesafety assembly 401 and relock the trigger mechanism 32, the user woulddepress control 43 again.

The foregoing description has been presented to illustrate and describevarious embodiments of the present invention, including preferredembodiments. Therefore, it is not intended to limit the invention in anyway to the precise forms and methods disclosed. Having herein set forthpreferred embodiments of the present invention, it is anticipated thatsuitable modifications can be made thereto which will nonetheless remainwithin the scope of the invention. The invention shall therefore beconstrued in accordance with the following claims:

1. A safety assembly for a firearm, comprising: at least one controlmember extending to the exterior of the firearm, said control memberbeing moveable between a first position and a second position; a biaselement operatively associated with the control member, the bias elementbiasing the control member in the first position; and an unlockingmechanism, the unlocking mechanism being connected to the control memberand interlinked with a trigger to unlock the trigger when the controlmember is in the second position.
 2. The safety assembly of claim 1wherein the control member further comprises a button.
 3. The safetyassembly of claim 1 wherein the bias element further comprises a spring.4. The safety assembly of claim 1 wherein the first position comprises alocked position and the second position comprises an unlocked position.5. The safety assembly of claim 1 wherein the exterior of the firearmfurther comprises a forestock.
 6. The safety assembly of claim 1,wherein the unlocking mechanism further comprises an aperture in atrigger rod, the trigger rod being connected to the trigger, and furthercomprising: a cross-bar disposed between the control member and theunlocking mechanism, the cross-bar being shaped to allow the cross-barto pass through the aperture for movement of the trigger rod when thecontrol member is in the second position.
 7. The safety assembly ofclaim 6, wherein the aperture further comprises a slot and the cross-barfurther comprises at least one notch, the notch being disposed to slideinto the slot when the control member is in the second position.
 8. Thesafety assembly of claim 6, wherein the at least one control member,comprises a first control member and a second control member, the firstand second control members being connected to the cross-bar at aseparate cross-bar end and extending to each side of the forestock.
 9. Asafety assembly for a firearm, comprising: at least one control memberextending to the exterior of the firearm; at least one bias elementoperatively associated with the control member, the bias element biasingthe control member in at least a first position and a second position;an unlocking mechanism, the unlocking mechanism being connected to thecontrol member and interlinked with a trigger to unlock the trigger whenthe control member is in the second position; and a locking mechanism,the locking mechanism being connected to the control member andinterlinked with a trigger to lock the trigger when the control memberis at rest in the first position and to relock the trigger when thecontrol member is reset to the first position from the second position.10. The safety assembly of claim 9 wherein the control member furthercomprises a button.
 11. The safety assembly of claim 9 wherein the biaselement comprises a spring ring.
 12. The safety assembly of claim 9wherein the unlocking mechanism further comprises a slot and the lockingmechanism further comprises an opening connected to the slot, the slotand the opening being in a trigger rod, the trigger rod being connectedto the trigger, and further comprising: a cross-bar having at least onenotch, the cross-bar being disposed to remain in the opening when thecontrol member is in the first position, and the notch being disposed toslide into the slot when the control member is in the second position.13. The safety assembly of claim 9 wherein the exterior of the firearmfurther comprises a forestock.
 14. The safety assembly of claim 13wherein the bias element further comprises a spring ring, and furthercomprising: a first groove in the forestock, the first groove beingdisposed to receive the spring ring and hold it in the first position;and a second groove in the forestock, the second groove being disposedto receive the spring ring and hold it in the second position.
 15. Asafety assembly for a combination weapon, comprising: a safety detentextending to the exterior of a receiver of a primary weapon, the safetydetent being operatively associated with a trigger on the primary weaponto lock and unlock the trigger on the primary weapon; a control memberextending to the exterior of a forestock of a secondary weapon, thesecondary weapon being mounted underneath the primary weapon, thecontrol member being moveable between a first position and a secondposition; a bias element operatively associated with the control member,the bias element biasing the control member in the first position; andan unlocking mechanism connected to the control member, the unlockingmechanism being interlinked with a trigger on the secondary weapon tounlock the trigger on the secondary weapon when the control member is inthe second position.
 16. The safety assembly of claim 15 wherein theunlocking mechanism further comprises an aperture in a trigger rod, thetrigger rod being connected to the trigger, and further comprising: across-bar disposed between the control member and the unlockingmechanism, the cross-bar being shaped to allow the cross-bar to passthrough the aperture for movement of the trigger rod when the controlmember is in the second position.
 17. A safety assembly for acombination weapon, comprising: a safety detent extending to theexterior of a receiver of a primary weapon, the safety detent beingoperatively associated with a trigger on the primary weapon to lock andunlock the trigger on the primary weapon; a control member extending tothe exterior of a forestock of a secondary weapon, the secondary weaponbeing mounted underneath the primary weapon, the control member beingmoveable between a first position and a second position; at least onebias element operatively associated with the control member, the biaselement biasing the control member in at least the first position andthe second position; an unlocking mechanism connected to the controlmember, the unlocking mechanism being interlinked with a trigger of thesecondary weapon to unlock the trigger of the secondary weapon when thecontrol member is in the second position; and a locking mechanismconnected to the control member, the locking mechanism being interlinkedwith the trigger of the secondary weapon to lock the trigger of thesecondary weapon when the control member is at rest in the firstposition and to relock the trigger of the secondary weapon when thecontrol is reset to the first position from the second position.
 18. Thesafety assembly of claim 17 wherein the bias element comprises a springring.
 19. A method for locking and unlocking a trigger on a combinationweapon, comprising: placing a support hand on the forestock of asecondary weapon, the secondary weapon being mounted underneath aprimary weapon; moving a safety detent on the primary weapon to anunlocked position; placing a firing hand on a trigger of the primaryweapon; using the support hand to operate a control member on theforestock of the secondary weapon to unlock a trigger of the secondaryweapon, the control member being operatively associated with the triggerof the secondary weapon; and using the support hand to operate thetrigger of the secondary weapon while the control member keeps thetrigger unlocked.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the controlcomprises a button and wherein using the support hand to operate thecontrol member further comprises depressing the button.
 21. The methodof claim 20 further comprising: releasing the button; and releasing thetrigger of the secondary weapon, causing the button to relock thetrigger of the secondary weapon.
 22. The method of claim 19 furthercomprising: operating the trigger of the primary weapon after the safetydetent has been moved to the unlocked position.
 23. A method for lockingand unlocking a trigger on a combination weapon, comprising: placing asupport hand on a forestock of a secondary weapon, the secondary weaponbeing mounted underneath a primary weapon; moving a safety detent on theprimary weapon to an unlocked position; placing a firing hand on atrigger of the primary weapon; using the support hand to depress abutton on the forestock of the secondary weapon to unlock a trigger ofthe secondary weapon, the button being connected to at least one biaselement and operatively associated with the trigger of the secondaryweapon so that the button is retained in a depressed position; and usingthe support hand to operate the trigger of the secondary weapon.
 24. Themethod of claim 23 further comprising: depressing the button again,causing the button to be reset the button in a locked position, therebylocking the trigger of the secondary weapon.
 25. The method of claim 23further comprising: operating the trigger of the primary weapon afterthe safety detent has been moved to the unlocked position.
 25. A methodfor locking and unlocking a trigger, comprising: placing at least onehand on a forestock of a firearm; placing at least one digit on thetrigger; using the hand to depress a button extending to the forestock afirst time to unlock the trigger, the button being operativelyassociated with the trigger and being connected to at least one biaselement that biases the button in at least a locked position; and whilethe button is depressed, squeezing the trigger.
 26. The method of claim25 further comprising: releasing the trigger, thereby causing the buttonto be reset in the locked position.
 27. The method of claim 25 furthercomprising: pressing the button a second time to reset the button to thelocked position.